Bow Handle and Limb Attachment Mechanism

ABSTRACT

A bow assembly including a non-metal handle, at least one limb, and a wedge slidably disposable between the non-metal handle and the limb to couple the non-metal handle and the limb, wherein the wedge is a mass concentrator at the coupling between the non-metal handle and the limb.

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/541,813 filed Sep. 30, 2011, entitled “Bow Handle and Limb Attachment Mechanism”.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an archery bow handle or riser and the attachment mechanism between the handle and the upper and lower limbs.

Limbs of a bow are typically connected to the handle using bolts or other elongated connection members that extend through the limbs and into the handle. Such connections make detachment and re-attachment of the limbs to the handle difficult and cumbersome. Further, stability and performance of the limbs are affected by such connections, thus affecting the flight and accuracy of the arrow.

The principles of the present disclosure overcome these and other limitations of the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a coupled bow handle and limb assembly using embodiments of a handle and limb attachment mechanism in accordance with the principles disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the limb connection end with wedge assembly of the assembly in FIG. 1 and in accordance with principles disclosed herein for embodiments of a handle and limb attachment mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a an end view of the limb connection end of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the limb connection end of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a detent ball assembly of the wedge assembly of FIGS. 2-4;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the detent ball assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is top view of the bow handle connection end with a slot of the assembly in FIG. 1 and in accordance with principles disclosed herein for embodiments of a handle and limb attachment mechanism;

FIG. 8 is an end view of the handle connection end of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a back view of an initial stage of the connection process for the handle and limb assembly and attachment mechanism of FIGS. 1-8;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the assembly of FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 12 is a front view of an advanced stage of the connection process for the handle and limb assembly and attachment mechanism;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a front view of the completed connection process to achieve the coupled handle and limb assembly using the handle and limb attachment mechanism as also shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of a bow assembly incorporating the embodiments of the above Figures; and

FIG. 16 is an assembled side view of the bow assembly of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the drawings and description that follow, like parts are typically marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of the disclosure may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of conventional elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The present disclosure is susceptible to embodiments of different forms. Specific embodiments are described in detail and are shown in the drawings, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the disclosure, and is not intended to limit the disclosure to that illustrated and described herein. It is to be fully recognized that the different teachings of the embodiments discussed below may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce desired results.

In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . ”. Unless otherwise specified, any use of any form of the terms “connect”, “engage”, “couple”, “attach”, or any other term describing an interaction between elements is not meant to limit the interaction to direct interaction between the elements and may also include indirect interaction between the elements described. The various characteristics mentioned above, as well as other features and characteristics described in more detail below, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the embodiments, and by referring to the accompanying drawings.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a bow handle and limb assembly 100 is shown in a coupled or assembled position. A bow handle, or riser, 110 includes a connection end 112 having an interface surface 114. A limb 120 includes a connection end 122 and an interface surface 124. The connection end 122 also includes bolt or connection assemblies 126, 128. The interface surfaces 114, 124 are coupled using a handle and limb attachment mechanism as will be described more fully below.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the limb 120 is shown separated from the assembly 100. The connection end 122 includes a wedge assembly 130 coupled onto the interface surface 124. In some embodiments, the wedge assembly 130 is coupled to the limb 120 using the bolt assemblies 126, 128 and counterbores 136, 138 in the wedge body 135. The wedge assembly 130 includes an outer surface 140 having the counterbores 136, 138 and also detent ball assemblies 132, 134.

Referring to FIG. 3, the wedge assembly 130 includes a forward surface 131 and two side surfaces 146, 148. The side surfaces 146, 148 define a width W₁. At the upper end of the wedge assembly 130 adjacent the outer surface 140, the side surfaces 146, 148 angle or flare outward to a width W₂ at the outer surface 140 to form tapered surfaces 142, 144 and a dovetail shape. As shown in FIG. 4, the wedge assembly 130 includes the forward surface 131, the side surfaces 146, 148 and the tapered surfaces 142, 144 forming the dovetail shape with the outer surface 140. Counterbores 136, 138 and detent ball assemblies 132, 134 extend from the outer surface 140 into the wedge body 135.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, detent ball assemblies 132, 134 include a body 150, a flange 152, and an embedded or captured ball 154. In some embodiments, the body includes a spring (not shown) to provide a spring-loaded ball 154.

Referring next to FIG. 7, the handle 110 is shown in greater detail. The connection end 112 includes a slot or groove 116 extending through the interface surface 114. In FIG. 8, the slot 116 includes a bottom surface 240, tapered surfaces 242, 244 and a rear surface 231. The bottom surface 240 mates with or engages the outer surface 140 of the wedge assembly 130. Likewise, the tapered surfaces 242, 244 form a dovetail shape to receive the dovetail shape formed by the wedge tapered surfaces 142, 144. The rear surface 231 receives the forward surface 131 of the wedge assembly, as will be described below.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the beginning of the insertion process is shown. The dovetail shape of the wedge assembly 130 of the limb 120 is inserted into the dovetail slot 116 of the handle 110. The limb 120 and the handle 110 are moved toward each other while the dovetail wedge assembly 130 is slidingly inserted into the dovetail slot 116. FIG. 10 shows a side view of the initiation of the insertion process described above, wherein the slot 116 receives the wedge assembly 130.

As shown in FIG. 11, the wedge assembly 130 is slidingly engaged with and is being advanced into the slot 116. The handle 110 and the limb 120 are moving toward each and the coupled or assembled position of FIG. 1. The slot 116 and the bottom surface 240 will receive and engage the detent ball assemblies 132, 134. The dovetail shapes of the wedge assembly 130 and the slot 116 are matingly engaged. In FIG. 12, the handle 110 and the limb 120 continue to move relative to each other and the wedge assembly 130 continues to slide into the slot 116. The detent ball assembly 134, no longer shown, is engaged with the bottom surface 240 of the slot 116. FIG. 13 shows a side view of this advanced stage of the connection process, wherein the wedge assembly 130 is substantially inserted into the slot 116 of the handle connection end 112. The mating dovetails shapes of the wedge assembly 130 and the slot 116 ensure that the handle 110 and the limb 120 move in a linear motion relative to each other, and that the sliding motion is secure and stable. The mating dovetail shapes also ensure that the handle 110 and the limb 120 resist movement in any direction other than the direction of arrow 170.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the completed insertion process to form the assembled bow handle and limb assembly 100 as previously shown in FIG. 1. The dovetail wedge assembly 130 is interlocked with the mating dovetail slot 116, and the detent ball assemblies 132, 134 are engaged with the bottom surface 240 of the slot 116. These features combine to couple the handle 110 to the limb 120 in a tool-free manner. The handle 110 and the limb 120 can be detached using the opposite process of that described above, also in a tool-free manner.

The embodiments of the handle and limb assembly with wedge and slot attachment mechanism as described herein require no tools for attachment and detachment, or makeup and breakdown (or, breakout). Tool-free makeup and breakdown provides fast and easy assembly of the bow, or changing of the limbs.

In some embodiments, the handle 110 is non-metal. In certain of these embodiments, the handle 110 includes a composite material. As used herein, a composite material includes a plurality of non-metal materials. In certain embodiments, the handle 110 includes a linen-based phenolic resin. In certain embodiments, the handle 110 includes wood and a linen-based phenolic resin. A phenolic resin may comprise a compressed, plastic-infused linen fiber. In some embodiments, the linen-based phenolic is a Micarta brand resin made by Norplex Micarta. In other embodiments, the handle 110 comprises other resins made by Norplex Micarta. In certain embodiments, the composite or phenolic material adds mass to the handle 110 over metal handles. In certain embodiments, the composite or phenolic material adds mass and tensile strength to the handle 110 over other non-metal handles. For example, the handle 110 includes the strength and mass to withstand the channel drilling necessary to create the slots 116, whereas a wooden handle does not. Consequently, the handle and limb assembly 100 using the wedge and slot attachment mechanism 150 may be used with a wooden component bow, described more fully below, and the wedge and slot attachment mechanism 150 allows for increased or enhanced physical characteristics of the non-metal handle, including increased width, depth, density, and tensile strength.

In some embodiments, the wedge 135 is metal. In certain embodiments, the wedge 135 is made from aluminum. In certain embodiments, the wedge 135 is made from aircraft-grade aluminum. In still further embodiments, the wedge 135 is made from stainless steel.

In some embodiments, the wedge assembly and connection mechanism are applied to a recurve bow or a takedown recurve bow. Referring now to FIG. 15, a non-metal handle 110 is shown with slots 116 at the ends 112. The surfaces 240 of the slots 116 include lengths L₁, L₂. The non-metal handle 110 includes a weight We₁. A first or upper limb assembly 250 includes a limb 252 having the wedge assembly 130 at its inner or lower end. The limb assembly 130 includes the metal wedge 135 attached by bolts 126, 128. The metal wedge 135 includes a length L₃ and a weight We₂. In some embodiments, an aluminum wedge 135 includes a weight We₂ of approximately 1 ounce. In other embodiments, such as for a stainless steel wedge 135, the weight We₂ will be greater than one ounce. A second or lower limb assembly 270 includes a limb 272 having the wedge assembly 130 at its inner or upper end. The limb assembly 130 includes the metal wedge 135 attached by bolts 126, 128. The metal wedge 135 includes a length L₄ and a weight We₃. In some embodiments, an aluminum wedge 135 includes a weight We₃ of approximately 1 ounce. In other embodiments, such as for a stainless steel wedge 135, the weight We₁ will be greater than one ounce. It is noted that the size of limbs 252, 272 are not necessarily to scale for proper figure fitment and clarity.

Referring now to FIG. 16, an assembled bow 300 includes the limbs 252, 272 attached to the ends 112 of the handle 110 by attachment mechanisms 150. The dovetail wedge and slot shapes are fully engaged and aligned along the lengths L₁, L₃ and L₂, L₄ as previously described herein. The detent ball assemblies, as previously described, mate and interlock with corresponding shapes in the surfaces 240 of the slots 116. Now, the metal wedges 135 with their corresponding weights We₂, We₃ are part of the ends 112 of the non-metal handle 110. Accordingly, the metal wedges 135 add weight or mass to the ends 112 of the handle 110, and correspondingly to the fixed ends of limbs 252, 272 at the mechanism 150. Because the weights We₂, We₃ are significant, or non-negligible, relative to the handle 110, they function as weight or mass concentrators at the ends 112 of the handle 110. The new overall weight We₄ of the handle 110 plus the wedges 135 increases over the weight We₁, and because the wedge weights We₂, We₃ are specifically located at the handle ends 112, the wedges 135 function as weight or mass concentrators MC₁, MC₂ at the ends 112.

It is noted that, although the wedges 135 are described as being metal, other non-metal wedges are contemplated provided the non-metal wedges have weights or masses similar to those described above with respect to the wedge 135, or have weights or masses relative to the handle such that they function as mass concentrators.

Maximizing speed or velocity of an arrow is desirable in the bow industry. This is achieved by transferring more kinetic energy to the arrow via the bow and string. A standard takedown recurve bow, for example, may launch an arrow 150 feet per second, or alternatively 180 feet per second, or alternatively 200 feet per second. Actual tests of a bow incorporating the handle and limb connection mechanisms described herein provided unexpected results. Using the embodiments described herein, an arrow flight was tested using a Velocitip Ballistic System by Full Flight Technology, LLC. A micro-electronic arrow field point on the tip of the arrow recorded flight data that was delivered via USB to a “docking station.” The speed results of the testing showed that the arrow launched by the embodiments described herein increased by 20 feet per second over the arrow speed of a standard model takedown recurve bow without the benefit of the handle and limb connection mechanism. This represents, for example, a 10 to 13%, or more, speed increase over the standard models. This quantity and percentage of speed increase was unexpected.

It is understood that the metal wedges 135 act as mass concentrators on the handle ends 112, due to the substantial, non-negligible weights We₂, We₃ of the wedges 135 relative to the handle weight We₁, and therefore positively increase the energy transfer through the limbs, the string and ultimately to the arrow. It is understood that the added mass, located at the handle ends and the fixed limb ends, enhances energy transfer and kinetic energy of the arrow. Further, the composite or phenolic material of the handle 110 provides a flexibility in the handle 110, such that motions 182, 184 are allowed about a central portion 115 of the handle 110 during use and supplement the mass-concentrated ends of the handle 110 and their effects.

It is understood that the mass concentrators at the limb connections reduce vibration in the flexible composite/phenolic handle, which reduces the energy lost through shocks and noise. Thus, more energy is ultimately converted to the kinetic energy of arrow, providing a silencing effect and reduction of handshock.

It is understood that the length of the dovetail shapes in the connections 150 also add to the stability of the connection point of the limbs. For example, because the entire mating lengths L₁, L₃ and L₂, L₄ of the wedges and slots provide continuous connection surfaces rather than just one or two discrete connection points from bolts, resistance to movement and thus stability is increased.

In some embodiments, the positions of the wedges and slots are reversed, meaning the wedges are coupled to the handle and the slots are in the limbs, but the mass concentration principles of the wedges in relation to the handle remain the same.

The embodiments set forth herein are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the disclosure or the details therein. It will be appreciated that many other modifications and improvements to the disclosure herein may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure or the inventive concepts herein disclosed. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught, including equivalent structures or materials hereafter thought of, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 

1. A bow assembly comprising: a non-metal handle; a slot at a connection end of the non-metal handle; and a wedge coupled at a connection end of a limb, wherein the wedge is slidable into the slot to couple the limb to the non-metal handle; wherein the wedge is a mass concentrator at the connection end of the non-metal handle.
 2. The bow assembly of claim 1 wherein the wedge comprises a metal.
 3. A bow assembly comprising: a first wedge assembly coupled to a connection end of a first limb, the first wedge assembly comprising a dovetail shape and at least one detent ball assembly; a second wedge assembly coupled to a connection end of a second limb, the second wedge assembly comprising a dovetail shape and at least one detent ball assembly; a flexible non-metal handle including first and second slots in first and second connection ends of the non-metal handle, the slots comprising mating dovetail shapes; wherein the first wedge assembly is slidable into the first slot such that the first mating dovetail shapes interlock and the first detent ball assembly engages a surface of the first slot to connect the first limb and the flexible non-metal handle; wherein the second wedge assembly is slidable into the second slot such that the second mating dovetail shapes interlock and the second detent ball assembly engages a surface of the second slot to connect the second limb and the flexible non-metal handle; and wherein the flexible non-metal handle is configured for motion of the wedge assemblies about a central portion of the flexible non-metal handle.
 4. The bow assembly of claim 3 wherein the wedge assemblies are slidable into and removable from the slots in a tool-free manner.
 5. The bow assembly of claim 3 wherein the wedge assemblies are mass concentrators at the connection ends and about the central portion of the flexible non-metal handle when engaged with the slots.
 6. The bow assembly of claim 3 wherein a wedge of the wedge assemblies is metal.
 7. A bow assembly comprising: a non-metal handle; at least one limb; and a wedge slidably disposable between the non-metal handle and the limb to couple the non-metal handle and the limb, wherein the wedge is a mass concentrator at the coupling between the non-metal handle and the limb.
 8. The bow assembly of claim 1 wherein the non-metal handle comprises a composite material.
 9. The bow assembly of claim 1 wherein the non-metal handle comprises a phenolic resin.
 10. The bow assembly of claim 1 wherein the wedge and the slot comprise mating dovetail shapes.
 11. The bow assembly of claim 7 further comprising another wedge configured to slidably couple another limb to the non-metal handle.
 12. The bow assembly of claim 11 wherein the wedges are mass concentrators at opposing ends of and about a central portion of the non-metal handle.
 13. The bow assembly of claim 12 wherein the non-metal handle is flexible and configured for motion of the mass concentrators about the central portion.
 14. The bow assembly of claim 13 wherein the motion of the mass concentrators is transferred to a string via the limbs.
 15. The bow assembly of claim 14 wherein the string is configured to receive an arrow. 